NEWS
May day for FCA
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will map out its future for all to see in MayFiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will outline its plans for key marques and markets, and the production plants, platforms and powertrains that will underpin them at an event in Detroit in May.
In discussion with motoring.com.au at Geneva Motor Show overnight, the event was described by one high-profile FCA executive as “a come to God moment” for the newly minted auto group.
The event mirrors one the then separate Chrysler and Fiat groups undertook in 2010. Critically, however, the 2014 outline has teeth as the companies are now one entity.
Critically, the road map for the auto group will detail platform and production plans for Alfa Romeo. The iconic Italian sporting marque is seen as a key component in bringing profitability to the group and generating higher yielding sales in markets like the USA and China. Plans to relaunch Alfa Romeo that featured in the 2010 plan have been rethought at least twice.
Closer to home, the May pow-wow is also expected to formalise plans for Jeep to enter the pick-up [ute] marketplace and give the green light to a larger seven-seat SUV based on the existing Grand Cherokee platform.
Italy-only brand Lancia is expected to be killed off in the May announcement, conversely Dodge may benefit from new rear-drive architectures expected to be announced for Alfa Romeo.
Maserati and Ferrari are unlikely to be significantly impacted in the platform sharing blueprint.
It’s the big picture aspects of the announcement that are key, however. The group’s future platform strategy will be outlined and CEO Sergio Marchionne (pictured) has already stated that a significant reduction in complexity is required for the group to prosper.
“What I can tell you is that there's going to be a substantial reduction in the number of platforms because we're dumping, over time... all of the old Chrysler platforms and converging them all –except for the large cars obviously, which are very specific to Chrysler,” Marchionne told a 'round table' in Geneva.
“You will see that we're simplifying our world substantially and then we'll tell you how much of this is effectively going to be culminated [sic]... [For example] ...the ability to replicate these architectures and effectively culminise all the development of these cars is crucial.
“But we need to do it in a very intelligent way and a very pointed way which is brand driven and not necessarily technology driven,” he stated.
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Written byMike Sinclair
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If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
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